OH OH - Brian Shaffer, 27, Columbus, 1 April 2006 - #3

[embufum]

Or maybe he met up with someone at the Wendy’s, possibly got in a car and left. Either way the trail went cold. I think Clint knows Brian was purposely trying to get away from him that night, which could explain his negative uncaring attitude concerning his disappearance. I have several things going through my mind:

Brian caught a ride and went back to his place, then Clint showed up and something happened there, or

Clint took Meredith home then backtracked and found Brian and there was an altercation. Maybe Clint was really po’d that Brian ran away from / rejected him, or

Brian caught a ride and voluntarily disappeared, or

After Brian left the Tuna he ran into trouble and something happened to him at the hands of someone else.

Yikes.

Yeah we are on the same page about Brian wanting to get away from Clint that night. I also wonder of it had something to do with those two girls. I think Brian was interested in one of them and he maybe took both of their numbers to be nice.

I wonder if he was planning to call one of them later that night. Maybe he was tying to get out of there and he couldn't get past Clint and bailed over the side over the balcony. If someone is drunk they can tend to do stupid stuff.

I also wonder if Brian and Clint had some kind of spat and maybe that's why Brian kind of was off on his own that night. I say spat as in nothing huge but maybe Brian was just wanting to get out of there that night but didn't have a ride home. Maybe that has something to do with Clint not wanting to take a polygraph. Maybe he didn't do anything to Brian but it would make him look bad if he said they had a spat.

 

[Satch]

Or maybe he met up with someone at the Wendy’s, possibly got in a car and left. Either way the trail went cold. I think Clint knows Brian was purposely trying to get away from him that night, which could explain his negative uncaring attitude concerning his disappearance. I have several things going through my mind:

Brian caught a ride and went back to his place, then Clint showed up and something happened there, or

Clint took Meredith home then backtracked and found Brian and there was an altercation. Maybe Clint was really po’d that Brian ran away from / rejected him, or

Brian caught a ride and voluntarily disappeared, or

After Brian left the Tuna he ran into trouble and something happened to him at the hands of someone else.

Yikes.

Or that scent that the dogs picked up really was Brian going out the door leading to the Wendy's. He was drunk, needed a ride home, and got a "Bad Ride." Such a person could bury him anyway, and that would make sense why he wouldn't be in the building and all roads would lead to nowhere. In this case, only the driver knows what happened. That would explain why no solid leads have developed for twelve years.

Satch

 

[Satch]

Or that scent that the dogs picked up really was Brian going out the door leading to the Wendy's. He was drunk, needed a ride home, and got a "Bad Ride." Such a person could bury him anyway, and that would make sense why he wouldn't be in the building and all roads would lead to nowhere. In this case, only the driver knows what happened. That would explain why no solid leads have developed for twelve years.

Satch

In the years in studying this case, I think the following:

1.) Brian Shaffer got out of an unmonitored door, seeking to go exploring. Caught up with a "Bad Ride" and was killed. The driver got so far out of town. (Which would not take long in Columbus) and buried the body so far away, in some field, woods, or water, that Brian will never be found.. He could have mouthed off to the driver, he could have thrown up in his car, he could have passed out in the guys' car. He could have road with a guy with a bad temper. Any one or combination of these things.could have happened.

2.) Brian Shaffer went exploring around the complex and had an accident around the construction site and could not get out. He is buried in a foundation pit or wedged in between the buildings. His location is so well hidden, that he may never be found until the building is torn down.

Satch

 

[Looking4Brian]

A new episode of Comeback is now up. It’s called Comeback: Special Edition. Nick and I discuss The Brian Shaffer March For The Missing with Lori Davis, as well as what we have learned so far after the first 2 episodes. And for a special treat Sergeant John Hurst finally released the band name and it is on this episode. Hope you guys are enjoying the podcast and if you wanna discuss the case with us or have any questions for us you can join the discussion on our Facebook group page. Here is a link to the podcast. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast...cial-edition-24b00f90dd1700f333f1ee8f1a4eedd1

 

[Looking4Brian]

The Wendy’s is directly next door to the Ugly Tuna Saloona and still there today.

 

[neesaki]

Just listened to #2 podcast with Det. Hurst.... sounds like the trash exit and the fire exit are one in the same. I'm still not clear on which door that is, is it actually inside the bar going out the back ?

Also, he said that whoever was operating / monitoring the cameras had over ridden the automatic pan feature of the camera over that fire exit. The sound isn't very good, but I think that's what he said. Does anyone think that means anything, I mean does that sound like a normal thing to do ?

 

[embufum]

Just listened to #2 podcast with Det. Hurst.... sounds like the trash exit and the fire exit are one in the same. I'm still not clear on which door that is, is it actually inside the bar going out the back ?

Also, he said that whoever was operating / monitoring the cameras had over ridden the automatic pan feature of the camera over that fire exit. The sound isn't very good, but I think that's what he said. Does anyone think that means anything, I mean does that sound like a normal thing to do ?

From what I heard Det Hurst said there are no exits from within the bar.

 

[neesaki]

Episode 3 : Name of band is Rockhouse

 

[MatthewTyler]

Episode 3 : Name of band is Rockhouse

Life's greatest mystery has been solved!!? I haven't seen episode 3 yet. I can die happy now haha

 

[embufum]

A new episode of Comeback is now up. It’s called Comeback: Special Edition. Nick and I discuss The Brian Shaffer March For The Missing with Lori Davis, as well as what we have learned so far after the first 2 episodes. And for a special treat Sergeant John Hurst finally released the band name and it is on this episode. Hope you guys are enjoying the podcast and if you wanna discuss the case with us or have any questions for us you can join the discussion on our Facebook group page. Here is a link to the podcast. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast...cial-edition-24b00f90dd1700f333f1ee8f1a4eedd1

OK so just listened to the new podcast, awesome show!!!

So it is believed that Brian went out the service elevator. Can you tell us approximately where it is located?

So Brian went down the service elevator then entered into the construction area? So are we to assume that once he got off the elevator he somehow found another entrance to the construction area or did the elevator pretty much open up to that area? I'm going to say it didn't since Det Hurst said this was the elevator the band used to get in and out.

So here's where it to me anyway gets a little confusing. You guys think that Brian left through the construction door exit and I'm pretty sure that Det Hurst said the same thing. Det Hurst also mentioned that they caught a scent that left out a side door.

So how can anyone be sure what door he left from? Not that this is that big of a deal but it may have some significance. Det Hurst must have some confidence that he came out a side door or he wouldn't have followed up with Wendy's since that is where the dogs led them after they went out the side door?

Another thing that I am not so sure on. You mentioned that you tried all the exit doors even the ones with alarms on them. Why would you do that? Just curious since there was no way of knowing you would not set off an alarm.

If Brian did use the service elevator and leave through a side door then I'm guessing that there really were no alarms to worry about?

So to me it seems like Brian may have been trying to follow the band. Seems like a likely scenario. Brian tells his friends he's going to talk to the band and is never heard from again. The band leaves via the service elevator and so does Brian.

So at this point I'm not so sure how things play out. Det Hurst said that the band was seen leaving via a camera. So again I have to assume that the exit door that they used had to be on camera because if it was the elevator Brian would be seen also.

So Brian went down the same elevator that the band used but not the same exit door. So somewhere coming out of that elevator he made a wrong turn and ended up in the construction area. One would think he had to make a conscious choice to go into an area that was not lit up?

I wonder if Brian left before or after the band? I would think before because if he left after where was he for all that time? I'm sure it took the band a while to gather up stuff unless they came back the next night and left some of their stuff in the bar.

But if he left after them it would seem he was not following them or maybe he waiting for them? According to Det Hurst the band claims they don't "remember" talking to Brian. Brian was a musician and was known from what I hear to talk to bands so if the band is correct then the whole entire time that Brian was there which was twice in one night he never once talked to them even though he mentions he going over to them when last seen.

 

[Satch]

In my view,

It must have been safe for the band to use the service elevator, or seemingly it would appear this way. Would a security escort have followed the band out from the service elevator for reasons of the construction around that area? Maybe Brian went to talk to the band, but never got a chance to catch up to them? This could be why the band does not remember seeing Brian, or speaking with him.

Brian may have been so excited and so drunk at the same time that he turned or stepped into danger wanting to follow the band and fell into something in the construction site. He wanted to talk with the band, but they got out too fast. Brian got so excited, he lost his sense of awareness around him concerning safety hazards and walked into danger where he couldn't get out of being trapped.

If Brian did not meet up with a "Bad Ride" and all of this happened within The Ugly Tuna Saloona complex, this is a VERY likely scenario. Can't wait to listen to the new Podcast!

Satch

 

[Ozoner]

OK so just listened to the new podcast, awesome show!!!

So it is believed that Brian went out the service elevator. Can you tell us approximately where it is located?

So Brian went down the service elevator then entered into the construction area? So are we to assume that once he got off the elevator he somehow found another entrance to the construction area or did the elevator pretty much open up to that area? I'm going to say it didn't since Det Hurst said this was the elevator the band used to get in and out.

So here's where it to me anyway gets a little confusing. You guys think that Brian left through the construction door exit and I'm pretty sure that Det Hurst said the same thing. Det Hurst also mentioned that they caught a scent that left out a side door.

So how can anyone be sure what door he left from? Not that this is that big of a deal but it may have some significance. Det Hurst must have some confidence that he came out a side door or he wouldn't have followed up with Wendy's since that is where the dogs led them after they went out the side door?

Another thing that I am not so sure on. You mentioned that you tried all the exit doors even the ones with alarms on them. Why would you do that? Just curious since there was no way of knowing you would not set off an alarm.

If Brian did use the service elevator and leave through a side door then I'm guessing that there really were no alarms to worry about?

So to me it seems like Brian may have been trying to follow the band. Seems like a likely scenario. Brian tells his friends he's going to talk to the band and is never heard from again. The band leaves via the service elevator and so does Brian.

So at this point I'm not so sure how things play out. Det Hurst said that the band was seen leaving via a camera. So again I have to assume that the exit door that they used had to be on camera because if it was the elevator Brian would be seen also.

So Brian went down the same elevator that the band used but not the same exit door. So somewhere coming out of that elevator he made a wrong turn and ended up in the construction area. One would think he had to make a conscious choice to go into an area that was not lit up?

I wonder if Brian left before or after the band? I would think before because if he left after where was he for all that time? I'm sure it took the band a while to gather up stuff unless they came back the next night and left some of their stuff in the bar.

But if he left after them it would seem he was not following them or maybe he waiting for them? According to Det Hurst the band claims they don't "remember" talking to Brian. Brian was a musician and was known from what I hear to talk to bands so if the band is correct then the whole entire time that Brian was there which was twice in one night he never once talked to them even though he mentions he going over to them when last seen?

The elevator might have been the kind with doors on both sides, with one door opening onto the part of the building housing the Ugly Tuna and the other opening onto the construction site. Brian could have pushed the wrong button and exited the elevator the wrong way. He might not have realized it until the elevator doors had closed, leaving him unable to re-enter the elevator (since the construction area wouldn't have had a working elevator button yet) and forcing him to try to navigate the construction site.

 

[embufum]

The elevator might have been the kind with doors on both sides, with one door opening onto the part of the building housing the Ugly Tuna and the other opening onto the construction site. Brian could have pushed the wrong button and exited the elevator the wrong way. He might not have realized until the elevator doors had closed, leaving him unable to re-enter the elevator (since the construction area wouldn't have had a working elevator button yet) and forcing him to try to navigate the construction site.

Good point. This would be a good question for the podcast people.

 

[embufum]

In my view,

It must have been safe for the band to use the service elevator, or seemingly it would appear this way. Would a security escort have followed the band out from the service elevator for reasons of the construction around that area? Maybe Brian went to talk to the band, but never got a chance to catch up to them? This could be why the band does not remember seeing Brian, or speaking with him.

Brian may have been so excited and so drunk at the same time that he turned or stepped into danger wanting to follow the band and fell into something in the construction site. He wanted to talk with the band, but they got out too fast. Brian got so excited, he lost his sense of awareness around him concerning safety hazards and walked into danger where he couldn't get out of being trapped.

If Brian did not meet up with a "Bad Ride" and all of this happened within The Ugly Tuna Saloona complex, this is a VERY likely scenario. Can't wait to listen to the new Podcast!

Satch

The more we learn he more we don't know. lol So I think the guys name is Nick. He mentions that the police think Brian left that building alive and he agrees. He said he was able to get an entire tour of all the entrances and more. They seem fairly confident that Brian is not behind a wall or in concrete. Obviously we don't have the luxury of taking a tour of the building but I gotta believe they have their reasons for thinking that.

I'm of the opinion the Brian was trying to give Clint the slip. I think he had plans to meet or talk to someone. Somehow he slipped past Brian and the 2 police officers.

 

[embufum]

This case gets more complex by the day but maybe that's a good thing since we are finding out stuff we never knew. So if we assume that Brian was killed by a random stranger after he left the building then everything that happened at the Tuna doesn't matter.

The fact he was the only guy in that bar to go out another entrance.
The fact that Clint and Meredith couldn't find Brian minutes after he left.
The fact that Brian never answered his phone.
The fact that Brian stumbled into or purposely went into the construction area.
The fact he somehow got by the 2 police officers.
The fact that he wasn't seen on any camera despite everyone else being accounted for.

All of it was just a weird coincidence that adds up to zero if he was killed by a stranger walking to say Wendy's. I still can't get past Clint's lawyer making the statement that he thinks Brian is alive and was told so by a detective, because if Brian is alive (or was) then maybe all that stuff did mean something. Maybe he did have a plan and maybe getting lost in the construction area was just snag.

After all the "new" info we have been told I now wonder if Brian knew his way around the building. Maybe he went out that way before but got confused with the construction going on. Maybe he was meeting someone and told them to meet him at Wendy's.

 

[Satch]

This case gets more complex by the day but maybe that's a good thing since we are finding out stuff we never knew. So if we assume that Brian was killed by a random stranger after he left the building then everything that happened at the Tuna doesn't matter.

The fact he was the only guy in that bar to go out another entrance.
The fact that Clint and Meredith couldn't find Brian minutes after he left.
The fact that Brian never answered his phone.
The fact that Brian stumbled into or purposely went into the construction area.
The fact he somehow got by the 2 police officers.
The fact that he wasn't seen on any camera despite everyone else being accounted for.

All of it was just a weird coincidence that adds up to zero if he was killed by a stranger walking to say Wendy's. I still can't get past Clint's lawyer making the statement that he thinks Brian is alive and was told so by a detective, because if Brian is alive (or was) then maybe all that stuff did mean something. Maybe he did have a plan and maybe getting lost in the construction area was just snag.

After all the "new" info we have been told I now wonder if Brian knew his way around the building. Maybe he went out that way before but got confused with the construction going on. Maybe he was meeting someone and told them to meet him at Wendy's.

Meeting to eat at Wendy's would not work because the restaurant would probably be closed by 11PM or midnight at the latest. But you're right, Embufum, If Brian was killed by a stranger once leaving The Ugly Tuna, what happened in the bar doesn't matter. There are many things that people, especially college kids, should take from this case:

When you go out, especially to a bar. STAY TOGETHER!
Drink responsibly
Have a designated driver, who does not drink any alcohol to insure a safe ride home.
Avoid unfamiliar or hazardous areas
If the business has a "Sleazy" reputation, as The Ugly Tuna was noted for, probably better to find another place to have fun. To this day, The Ugly Tuna has very poor reviews ranging from the food, overpriced drinks, and rude staff.

Satch

 

[embufum]

Meeting to eat at Wendy's would not work because the restaurant would probably be closed by 11PM or midnight at the latest. But you're right, Embufum, If Brian was killed by a stranger once leaving The Ugly Tuna, what happened in the bar doesn't matter. There are many things that people, especially college kids, should take from this case:

When you go out, especially to a bar. STAY TOGETHER!
Drink responsibly
Have a designated driver, who does not drink any alcohol to insure a safe ride home.
Avoid unfamiliar or hazardous areas
If the business has a "Sleazy" reputation, as The Ugly Tuna was noted for, probably better to find another place to have fun. To this day, The Ugly Tuna has very poor reviews ranging from the food, overpriced drinks, and rude staff.

Satch

Very good post!! Whole heartedly agree with the bold part.

So Det Hurst said they checked the cameras at Wendy's and also the one at the drive through so now I'm wondering what their hours are?? Why would the drive through have cameras running after closing?

OK so they close at 1am from what I can tell. Maybe Brian did have someone waiting for him in the parking lot at Wendy's. I'm sure he knew when places around there closed.

 

[dotr]

http://www.onesourcesecurity.com/po...mera-tips-for-nightclubs-bars-and-restaurants

[h=1]8 Security Camera Tips for Nightclubs, Bars and Restaurants[/h]

2. Consider capturing the whole picture.

Traditional stationary cameras have a limited field of view. Due to this, many owners will install PTZ cameras (pan, tilt and zoom). These can be controlled to pan across the area which you’re monitoring. But they typically don’t pan in a complete circle. And, no matter what, you’re always missing a section of the targeted area due to the fact that you’re moving the camera from position to position.

3. Protect yourself from lawsuits and loss of liquor license.

This is the most common reason for having security cameras in nightclubs, bars and restaurants. Slips and falls, claims of over-serving and those claiming to have been assaulted when they themselves were the aggressor are issues to protect yourself from.

Know exactly how long an individual has been in your club—he may have arrived already intoxicated, yet claimed that he was over-served. Monitor his drinking activity, the steadiness on his feet, etc.

Determine the conditions of the floors if someone claims to have slipped and fell. Were they really slick or wet? Did the person trip on her own feet and fall due to it being her own fault?

 

[neesaki]

This case gets more complex by the day but maybe that's a good thing since we are finding out stuff we never knew. So if we assume that Brian was killed by a random stranger after he left the building then everything that happened at the Tuna doesn't matter.

The fact he was the only guy in that bar to go out another entrance.
The fact that Clint and Meredith couldn't find Brian minutes after he left.
The fact that Brian never answered his phone.
The fact that Brian stumbled into or purposely went into the construction area.
The fact he somehow got by the 2 police officers.
The fact that he wasn't seen on any camera despite everyone else being accounted for.

All of it was just a weird coincidence that adds up to zero if he was killed by a stranger walking to say Wendy's. I still can't get past Clint's lawyer making the statement that he thinks Brian is alive and was told so by a detective, because if Brian is alive (or was) then maybe all that stuff did mean something. Maybe he did have a plan and maybe getting lost in the construction area was just snag.

After all the "new" info we have been told I now wonder if Brian knew his way around the building. Maybe he went out that way before but got confused with the construction going on. Maybe he was meeting someone and told them to meet him at Wendy's.

It was a great podcast, so glad I found time to listen to them today.
I agree with you, embufum, I think Brian may have been purposely evading Clint, i.e., trying to give him the slip. Maybe they had a disagreement or difference of opinion about something that night, or, Brian had already planned to “disappear” and for some reason he chose to do it from there rather than go home first. Maybe leaving from there would have less complications, I.e., no concerns about anyone coming over for a late night drink, what have you.... I know, I’m speculating, lol.

I would also like more clarification as to the locations of the exits, etc. Maybe we can get that in the next one, a map or diagram would really help.

 

[neesaki]

Very good post!! Whole heartedly agree with the bold part.

So Det Hurst said they checked the cameras at Wendy's and also the one at the drive through so now I'm wondering what their hours are?? Why would the drive through have cameras running after closing?

OK so they close at 1am from what I can tell. Maybe Brian did have someone waiting for him in the parking lot at Wendy's. I'm sure he knew when places around there closed.

And could have just been a meeting place, whether they were open or closed. Where on earth could he be ?